CONTACT:

Jennifer Gallo, Community Public Relations Coordinator
302-479-1691

For immediate release – October 24 , 2006

THE FAMILY & WORKPLACE CONNECTION CELEBRATES 20 YEARS
Four honored for contributions to children, elders, families

( WILMINGTON, DE ~ October 26, 2006) – To mark its 20th year, The Family & Workplace Connection (FWC) will honor two individuals and two corporations who have made outstanding contributions to the well-being of Delaware’s children, older Delawareans, and Delaware’s families. The awards will be presented during the nonprofit organization's 80s-themed "Totally Awesome 20 th" Anniversary Celebration. FWC’s “Creating Connections Award” will be presented to: Ann D. Wick, for her support of Delaware’s children; Susan R. Getman from the Wilmington Senior Center for her support of older Delawareans, and DuPont and AstraZeneca for their support of Delaware’s families. The anniversary event takes place Thursday, October 26, 2006 at the Delaware Art Museum.

For 20 years, FWC has been managing and distributing information on child and elder care services to meet the needs of Delaware’s families. The Family & Workplace Connection, formerly Child Care Connection, began as a pilot child care resource and referral program in New Castle County in late 1985 with a start-up grant from DuPont, and expanded child care referral services statewide in 1988. In 1996, Child Care Connection changed its name to The Family & Workplace Connection and began offering services to help families with their elder care needs, as well.

In 1986, the organization had a staff of two in New Castle County and served approximately 2,000 families. Today, the organization has a staff of 43, has locations in all three counties, and in 2005 served close to 7,000 families through its child and elder care referral services alone. The organization has expanded to provide a variety of programs that increase child care quality and availability in Delaware, such as its child care provider resource center and mobile resource center network; the Delaware Child Care Capacity-Building Program; the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood ® Program; and the Child and Adult Care Food Program. In addition, FWC offers several programs to support elders: ElderOnline, Grand Time Off, and ElderBuddy.

"Before our agency came into existence, families looking for child care had nowhere to turn; they had to fend for themselves," said Ralph Klesius, President of The Family & Workplace Connection. "But over the last 20 years, FWC has been an invaluable resource to Delawareans seeking care for their dependents, as well as for the providers of that care. FWC has truly made a difference by enhancing the supply and quality of care and helping families manage their work and personal lives," he added.

FWC’s “Totally Awesome 20th” Anniversary Celebration will be held October 26, 2006 beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Delaware Art Museum. Money raised from this event will support The Family & Workplace Connection’s community programming for children and elders.

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We welcome the media to attend! For your coverage purposes, the agenda for the evening is:

 

6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Social (cocktails and hors d’oeuvres)

7:45 – 8:30 p.m. Remarks and presentation of the Creating Connections awards

8:45 – 9:00 p.m. MINI Cooper raffle drawing